(a) If by law, any officer whose office is created by the California Constitution is made a member of a state board, commission, or committee, or of the governing body of any state agency or authority, the officer may designate a deputy of his or her office holding a position specified in subdivision (c) of Section 4 of Article VII of the California Constitution to act as the member in the constitutional officer’s place and stead, to all intents and purposes as though the constitutional officer was personally present, including the right of the deputy to be counted in constituting a quorum, to participate in the proceedings of the board, commission, committee, or other governing body, and to vote upon any and all matters. The constitutional officer so designating a deputy shall be responsible for the acts of the deputy acting under the designation in the same manner and to the same extent that the constitutional officer is responsible for the acts of the deputy performing his or her official duties as a deputy of the office of the constitutional officer.

(b) The Lieutenant Governor may designate any person in his or her office holding a position specified in subdivision (c) or (f) of Section 4 of Article VII of the California Constitution to act as a deputy for the purposes of this section only. However, the Lieutenant Governor may not appoint a person to act as a deputy for him or her at meetings of the Senate, or of the Regents of the University of California, or of the Trustees of the California State University.

(c) The Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court may designate a judge or employee of a state court or an employee of the Administrative Office of the Courts to act as a deputy for the purposes of this section.

(d) The Attorney General may also designate any employee in his or her office to act as a deputy for the purpose of this section. However, no person designated by the Attorney General pursuant to this section to act as a member on any state board, commission, committee, or governing body of which the Attorney General is presiding officer shall act as presiding officer in his or her place.

(e) The Superintendent of Public Instruction may designate any person in his or her office holding a position specified in Section 2.1 of Article IX of the California Constitution to act as a deputy for the purposes of this section. However, the Superintendent of Public Instruction may not appoint a person to act as a deputy for him or her at meetings of the State Board of Education, of the Regents of the University of California, or of the Trustees of the California State University.

(f) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (e), inclusive, not more than one officer subject to this section shall be represented by a deputy subject to this section at any meeting or session of the State Lands Commission.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 182, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)